Trip from Reading, PA to Sugarcreek, PA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 24m
Distance
269.2 mi
433 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Reading, PA
Wikimedia Commons
Sugarcreek, PA
Jack Pace
Trip Overview
Reading, PA to Sugarcreek, PA is 269.2 miles and takes about 5h 24m via North 5th Street, Centre Avenue, and Pottsville Pike, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Pennsylvania, traversing the Northeast region. You'll primarily be on surface roads, so expect a more leisurely pace than a highway drive. With only one recommended stop and a drive under six hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
134.6 miles from Reading, PA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone Shortway | 153 mi | 2h 44m |
| US Highway 322 | 17.2 mi | 25m |
| Pottsville Pike | 14.4 mi | 18m |
| Locust Gap Highway | 11.5 mi | 13m |
| Centre Turnpike | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| South Market Street | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Sunbury Road | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Twenty-Eighth Division Highway | 5.6 mi | 8m |
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,043 veh/hr typical · worst 1,449
Quietest
2 AM
~187 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Reading, PA and Sugarcreek, PA.
Start on US 422 Business Alternate
Turn right onto US 222 BUS
Turn slight left onto PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Continue on PA 61
Turn left onto US 209
At end of road, turn right onto US 209
Turn left onto US 209
Continue on US 209; PA 901
At end of road, turn left onto PA 901
Continue on PA 901
Continue on PA 901
Continue on PA 901
Continue on PA 54; PA 901
Continue on PA 54
Turn right onto PA 54
Continue on PA 54
Continue on PA 54
Take the exit
Merge onto I 80
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 322
Continue on US 322
Continue on US 322
Continue on US 322
Turn slight right onto US 322
Continue on US 322
Continue on US 322
Continue on US 322
Continue on US 322
Continue on US 322
Turn right onto US 322
Turn right onto US 322
Continue on US 322
Turn left onto Grant Street
Continue on US 322
Turn slight left onto Sugarcreek Drive
Continue on this road
Continue on Sugarcreek Drive
Turn slight left onto Causeway Drive
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 24m estimated drive time, leaving Reading, PA in the morning will allow you to reach Sugarcreek, PA with plenty of daylight to spare. The route is entirely on surface roads, so plan for a steady pace and be aware of potential slowdowns in populated areas. With a fuel cost estimate of $43, it's wise to check your fuel level before departing and consider a top-off midway, especially since there's only one recommended stop. This manageable distance means you have flexibility to pause for breaks as needed without feeling rushed.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 59 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.6 miles or 2h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sugarcreek, PA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
Open the route before leaving Reading, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Reading, PA
This is one driving day of about 269.2 miles and 5h 24m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 134.6 miles from Reading, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Keystone Shortway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 153 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Montour County Rest Area Westbound
Flying J Travel Center
TA
Pilot Travel Center
Jefferson County Rest Area Eastbound
Clinton County Rest Area Eastbound
Centre County Rest Area Eastbound
Service Plaza
Zachrich Trucking Inc
Flying J Travel Center
Flying J Travel Center
Sapp Brothers Travel Center
Clinton County Rest Area Westbound
Montour County Rest Area Eastbound
Love's Travel Stop
Pilot Travel Center
TA
TA
Jefferson County Rest Area Westbound
Clarion Service Plaza
Gibraltar Park
Near the start, ~12 min detour
Birdsboro, Pennsylvania
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 265.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto US 222 BUS / North 5th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 322 / Liberty Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 322 / 13th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.37 one way
$94.75 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.89 | $51.81 | $103.61 |
| premium | $5.23 | $55.39 | $110.77 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $65.49 | $130.98 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.74
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.8 | 0 | $28.27 | $12.92 |
| Efficient EV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.56 | $10.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.7 | 1 | $37.69 | $17.23 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Reading, PA
Night in Reading on Saturday
Local time
10:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Partly Sunny
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Destination
Sugarcreek, PA
Night in Sugarcreek on Saturday
Local time
10:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Isolated Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:10AM EDT until October 18 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Mount Holly NJ
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 24m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route has a 0% highway share, meaning your entire 269.2-mile drive will be on surface roads. You'll begin on North 5th Street and Centre Avenue before transitioning to Pottsville Pike. Since there are no major highways involved, anticipate navigating through towns and potentially encountering more traffic signals and lower speed limits throughout the 5h 24m duration.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 222 BUS / North 5th Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 24m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 222 BUS / North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.8 miles (US 209 / Mauch Chunk Street): Navigation decision point; at 72 miles (PA 54 / Danville-Riverside Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
3,139 ft
Total Descent
2,362 ft
Highest Point
1,802 ft
~192.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,549 ft
Notable High Points
About the Cities
Starting in Reading, PA
Full guide →Founded 1748
Reading is a historic city of about 95,000 (2020 Census) in Pennsylvania, about 50 miles northwest of Philadelphia, 35 miles southwest of Allentown and 55 miles east of Harrisburg. It punches above its weight in culture, and its downtown features some iconic buildings, so consider making it a stopover on your way between any of these and other area cities.
Top landmarks
- • Frederick Lauer Monument — monument in City Park, Reading, Pennsylvania, United States
- • Skew Arch Bridge
Arriving in Sugarcreek, PA
Full guide →Founded 1796
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 269.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (13%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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